The ferruginous rhododendron

Often called the “rose of the Alps”, the rhododendron blooms with striking pink flowers in June. Its secret? It prepares next year’s flower buds at the end of the summer. These buds, protected from the cold and frost by the snow, can withstand the rigours of winter and thus flower very early. The ferruginous quality dœsn’t come from the colour of the flowers but from the rusty colour of the underside of its leaves.